Corker Criticized for Working With Democrats

AP

NASHVILLE (AP) – U.S. Sen. Bob Corker insists his willingness to work with Democrats doesn't make him a moderate, but ardent conservatives think otherwise.

According to The Tennessean, the Tennessee Republican came under fire throughout an eight-stop swing through Middle Tennessee during the congressional recess earlier this month.

At one stop, Corker sparred with a Nashville lawyer over the senator's plan to shut down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the nation's main backers of home mortgages.

President Barack Obama endorsed the proposal he developed with a Democratic senator to replace the mortgage giants.

Corker's amendment to increase spending on security along the U.S.-Mexican border helped win passage in the Senate of an immigration bill that is loathed by tea party activists.

"They don't often agree on every policy issue, but the president respects Senator Corker's ability to routinely put aside party politics and work to make progress on the priorities of the nation's middle-class families," White House spokeswoman Joanna Rosholm said.

If anything, Corker describes himself as a "pragmatic thought leader" who went to Washington to focus on business matters.

"We're United States senators," he said. "We're supposed to go sell. We're supposed to go inform."